Frank Thomas Interview

We Talked Home Run Derby With Homer King Frank Thomas

The Big Hurt, Frank Thomas, has put a hurtin’ on a lot of baseballs in his career. The Chicago White Sox legend has jacked 521 homers, to be exact, which is the 18th-most in Major League Baseball history. That’s why we figured we’d catch up with the big man on the day of the 2014 Gillette Home Run Derby.

Gillette is the new sponsor of the Derby and, like Thomas, they know a lot about maximum contact with their new FlexBall Technology in the Fusion razor. They even put us in contact with the Hall of Famer:

AskMen (AM): You’ve had some memorable moments at the Home Run Derby, including your monstrous blast at Three Rivers Stadium, so you’re familiar with what it’s like to participate in the Home Run Derby. From your experience, what’s the mindset of a player going into this event?

Frank Thomas (FT): It’s interesting every year. I think the first time I went in, it was stressful because once they pull that cage back, it’s not like batting practice anymore. It’s more like a real game and the only thing you can do is aim to hit the ball out of the ballpark, so it can be intimidating the first time, but as you continue to practice it, it gets easier every time.

AM: It’s a bit of a twist, isn’t it? You go from hitting home runs in a game, which is a real ‘wow’ factor for the fans, to the Home Run Derby, where they expect a home run on every single pitch.

FT: When you’re going into a game, you’re not expected to hit a home run every game. You’re just doing everything proper with proper swings. At the Home Run Derby, you’re expected to hit home runs. You’re up there trying to hit home runs. That’s what makes the Derby a little more difficult.

AM: Do you have any secrets on how to win it?

FT: For me, I would practice two weeks before and just put myself in that frame of mind that’s it’s a 3-0 or 2-0 count and I’m just trying to hit the fastball out of the ballpark. That’s just the best way to practice so you don’t over-swing or do anything uncommon at the plate.

AM: Speaking of over-swinging, we’ve heard of some players messing up their mechanics by participating in the Home Run Derby — maybe trying too hard to hit the ball out of the park instead of just using their natural swing. As a former player, did you believe in that or did players talk about that?

FT: No, I think that’s overrated. I really do. A Home Run Derby is fun. It’s just like taking batting practice and you just want to go deep. Guys do it every day. Yes, there’s a little more pressure when they pull that cage back, but if you practice properly, it shouldn’t affect the second half of your season at all.

AM: You have naturally always been a big man. How do you manage to maintain your size? Is it natural or is there a specific regimen in the gym that you keep doing?

FT: It’s natural. I come from good stock. Both of my parents are big — my dad is a big guy, my mom is a big lady. But as for working out, I continue to work out. It’s not as easy as it used to be but for me now, it’s more lifestyle. As you get older, it gets harder to get rid of that belly but I do a lot of cardio to try to stay in shape.

AM: For someone who is trying to bulk up, do you have any tips?

FT: I think they should just get with a great personal trainer at a gym and learn to work three sets of 15 for everything you do. Get a good positive regimen going — but it’s got to be properly done. You just can’t wake up out of bed and think you can figure out a gym. You definitely need some personal training.